Iowa 4-H Clover Kids: Positive Child Development

PYD Principles and Best Practices

Review Topics• Child/Youth Development

Principles/Framework

• Children and Youths’ Four Developmental Needs

• Eight Essential Elements of a Positive Child/Youth Development Experience

• Iowa 4-H Equation

Positive Child Development

Positive child development isdevelopment that is positive andproductive for both kids and their

parents/care provider. It occurs from anintentional process that promotes

positive outcomes for youngpeople by providing opportunities,choices, relationships, and support.

Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program’s Mission

To empower children and youth to reach their full potential working and learning (in long-term) partnerships with caring adults

Child Development Framework

• The child development approach considers the whole young person; views children as resources to be developed rather than as problems to be managed

• Child development is designed to focus on the positive outcomes we desire for children

• Children seen as central actors in their own development; learn by doing

Child Development Framework (continued)

• Children have the potential for ongoing change in their development; development is influenced by environmental factors and available opportunities

• Child development is dependent on family and community development as it occurs in the context of the family, community, and society

• Acknowledges that every child is unique and matures in unique ways.

Transformational Child Development Experiences

High Level Content Opportunities(Educational experiences we provide children through research-based curricula)

+ High Level Context Environments

(Young people engage in long-term interactions with caring adults)

=Meet Youths’ Developmental Needs

(Belonging, mastery, independence, generosity)

Four Developmental Needs of Children

Studies indicate children

whose needs are met in

positive ways are likely to

develop into active citizens

and contributing members of

their families and

communities.

Four DevelopmentalNeeds of Children

• Belonging– cared about– connected– accepted– feeling safe

• Generosity– meaning in life– purpose in life– give back to

others– appreciate

what one has

Four DevelopmentalNeeds of Children

• Independence– self-discipline– self-sufficiency– better

understanding of self

• Mastery– feeling capable– successful– self-confident– make positive life

choices– learn new skills &

use in different ways– fine-tune existing

skills

Characteristics of Children Whose Needs are Met in Positive Ways

BelongingLoving

AttachedFriendlyIntimateSocial

CooperativeTrusting

MasteryAchievingSuccessfulCreative

Problem SolvingMotivatedPersistentCompetent

IndependenceAutonomous

ConfidentAssertive

ResponsibleSelf ControlledSelf Disciplined

Leadership

GenerosityAltruisticCaringSharingLoyal

EmpathicPro-socialSupportive

Characteristics of Children Whose Needs are Met in Negative Ways

BelongingGang Loyalty

Craves AffectionCraves Acceptance

PromiscuousClinging

Cult VulnerableOverly Dependent

MasteryOverachiever

ArrogantRisk Seeker

CheaterWorkaholic

PerseverativeDelinquent Skill

IndependenceDictatorial

Reckless/MachoBullies Others

Sexual ProwessManipulative

RebelliousDefies Authority

GenerosityNoblesse ObligeOver-involvedPlays Martyr

Co-DependencyOver-involvement

ServitudeBondage

Characteristics of Children Whose Needs are Unmet

BelongingGuarded

UnattachedRejectedLonelyAloof

IsolatedDistrustful

MasteryNon-achiever

Failure OrientedAvoids Risks

Fears ChallengesUnmotivated

Gives Up EasilyInadequate

IndependenceSubmissive

Lacks ConfidenceInferiority

IrresponsibleHelplessnessUndisciplined

Easily Led

GenerositySelfish

AffectionlessNarcissistic

DisloyalHardenedAnti-social

Exploitative

Eight Essential Elements of a Positive Youth

Development Experience

In 1999, a team of evaluators from the National 4-H Impact Design Implementation Team was given the charge of determining the “critical elements in a positive child/youth development experience.”

8 Elements Distilled to4 Basic Needs of Youth

Belonging Positive relationship with a caring adult An inclusive environment A safe environment

Mastery Engagement in learning Opportunity for mastery

Independence Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future Opportunity for self- determination

Generosity Opportunity to value and practice service for others

Developmentally Appropriate Clover Kids Life Skill Areas

• Self understanding

• Social interaction

• Decision making

• Learning to learn

• Mastering physical skills

PowerPoint Sources• Brendtro, L., Brokenleg, M, & Van Bockern, S. 1990. Reclaiming Youth at

Risk: Our Hope for the Future. Bloomington, IN. National Education Service.

• Iowa 4-H Program’s Clover Kids Toolbox http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/Clover/toolbox1.htm

• Kress, C. Essential Elements of Youth Development. Retrieved January 30, 2007 from http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_elements.htm

• Lerner, R. et al. (2009). Waves of the Future: The first five years of the 4-H study of positive youth development. Tufts University, Institute of Applied Research in Youth Development.

• McKinley, S. 2007. Essential Elements of Youth Development Lesson Plan. Purdue University Cooperative Extension.

Iowa 4-H Clover Kids: Positive Child Development

Created By: Keli Tallman,

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 4-H Youth Program Specialist,

January 2011.

Revised By: Brenda Welch,

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 4-H Youth Program Specialist,

July 2012.